Up to one-third of older adults staying in the hospital can develop a condition called delirium. It is especially common in people age 65 and older.

Delirium causes sudden confusion and trouble thinking clearly. A person may have trouble paying attention, feel disoriented, or even see or hear things that aren’t really there (hallucinations).

Dementia can make a person much more likely to have delirium. Delirium can have many different causes. The key to getting better is to find the causes of delirium and then try to resolve them. If this ...

Research supports the management of delirium with tools other than medication. Hand massage has been shown to reduce stress ...

Delirium is an acute disorder that causes fluctuating inattention, confusion and different levels of consciousness. It is linked to poor health outcomes and is considered an indicator of quality care.

Delirium is a sudden and serious condition that causes confusion and a lack of awareness. It often happens quickly, ...

Delirium is a sudden disturbance in mental function that causes confusion and decreased awareness of one’s environment. It is classified into three subtypes – hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed.

Follow-up: The presence of delirium as indicated by the algorithm, warrants prompt intervention to identify and treat underlying causes and provide supportive care. Vigilant efforts need to ...